In The Arms Of The Enemy

“Of course, of course.” Caroline’s shoulders dropped. “I know how much you enjoy talking about Timberline’s history.”

Some weird undercurrent passed between the two women, like a force field excluding him, and a muscle ticked in his jaw as his senses picked up on it.

Linda gave Caroline’s arm another pat and then smacked the counter with the flat of her hand, which broke the tension. “It’s settled. Coffee it is.”

“Enjoy yourselves.” Caroline brushed her light brown hair from her face. “I’ll hold down the fort.”

Cole stopped at the door. “Do you want us to bring you back anything?”

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

The door shut behind them and Caroline waited for the bells to fade before covering her face with her hands.

She’d be a lot better once Cole Pierson, or whatever his name was, left Timberline. That pat on the arm from Linda reassured her that her so-called cousin wouldn’t be spilling the beans about her to Cole.

Maybe this interview was just what she needed to get Cole off her back. If he couldn’t shake Linda’s story that she was a cousin from back East who was escaping a bad relationship, maybe he’d move on.

And she could get back to the business of finding out who she was and what she was doing with a lowlife like Johnny Diamond.

She had discovered that the body in the trunk of the car outside the motel room was Hazel McTavish, and most likely Diamond had murdered Hazel when he stole her car at the airport in Seattle. So how far-fetched was it to assume that Caroline was also one of Diamond’s victims?

Except she’d had a packed bag with her in the motel room. If he’d carjacked Hazel at the airport, maybe she’d been at the airport, too.

She rubbed the back of her head, where a hard knot had formed in place of the bump. She needed to regain her memory. How did people do that without going to a hospital and getting involved with law enforcement and psychiatrists?

The door to the shop swung open, and Caroline jumped. Her grip on the edge of the counter tightened as she watched a single man stroll through the door, shaking out his umbrella.

She had an idea of what one of Johnny Diamond’s cronies might look like, and it wasn’t this guy, with his crisp khakis and belted raincoat. But that’s what she’d thought about Cole Pierson, too, and he obviously had some involvement with Diamond if he was looking for her.

She forced a smile to her face. “Can I help you find something? All the wood carvings in the front are 50 percent off.”

The man tilted his head, a puzzled look in his eyes. “I’m just looking around. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Timberline.”

Either she was paranoid or she was giving off a weird vibe, because this guy was checking her out. Probably a little of both. She coughed. “Feel free to browse.”

She dusted behind the counter while keeping an eye on the shopper. He picked up and discarded many items after studying them intently.

He finally picked up one of the stuffed frogs and shook it.

“That’s unique to Timberline. A local artist makes those.”

“I think I used to have one of these frogs.” He tossed it in the air and caught it by one leg. “I’ll take it.”

“Do you have children?”

“A daughter.” He brought the frog to the counter.

“I’m sure she’ll like it.” Caroline’s blood thrummed in her veins as she rang up the man’s purchase under his scrutiny. He was studying her like he’d been studying the trinkets in the shop. Maybe he was just an intense guy.

“Is she with you? Your daughter?”

“No, I’m on a...business trip.”

She counted his change into the palm of his hand and shoved the plastic bag toward him. “Hope she likes it.”

He walked toward the door slowly and then stopped with his hand on the knob. “Are you a local?”

Did she just have one of those faces that invited questions, or was this a small-town thing?

“No. I’m staying with my cousin, who owns this shop.”

His shoulders drooped. “Ahh, well, thank you.”

“Enjoy your stay.”

When the door closed, she collapsed against the counter. Would she suspect every person who walked in here of having ulterior motives? Of course, as the saying went, sometimes they really were out to get you.

She’d been right to suspect Cole. He’d lied to her about being a writer. He was searching for Johnny Diamond’s companion. He was searching for her.

Crossing her arms, she strolled to the front door and leaned her forehead against the cool glass. She couldn’t see into Uncommon Grounds, the coffee shop where Cole had taken Linda to grill her. Caroline had to trust that Linda would keep her secrets—even the ones she didn’t know about. If Linda told Cole that she didn’t have a second cousin named Caroline and had never laid eyes on her before she’d discovered her crying in the alley behind her store, he’d have every reason to believe she was the mystery woman with Diamond. And she had to be a mystery to Cole or he would’ve recognized her.

But who was he? If he was Diamond’s associate, he might be wondering about some missing drug money. Did the police mention how much money was found in the hotel room? Surely not. How would Diamond’s cohorts know whether or not she’d stolen any money?

They might want to find her for other reasons. Revenge? Information? Could Cole be a cop?

The door to the Uncommon Grounds opened, and Caroline jerked back as Linda appeared on the sidewalk with Cole behind her. They were both laughing. That didn’t mean anything, though. Cole Pierson was a charmer. He had the good looks to beguile a woman of any age.

Hadn’t he cast a spell on her? Caroline should’ve taken her burger to go last night and gotten the heck out of Sutter’s. If she had, she wouldn’t have overheard his conversation. Better to know your enemies and keep them close.

She could keep Cole close—no problem.

His question about children had troubled her. She’d never considered that she might have a husband and children somewhere. Didn’t she owe it to them to turn herself in to the police? If she were missing, they’d be looking for her. Even if she didn’t come from this area, she might be able to find out if they were.

Maybe she should start looking at missing persons reports from other states.

As Linda and Cole approached the shop, Caroline backed away from the door and grabbed her duster.

They were still laughing when they entered on a wet gust of wind that sent the bells into a frenzy.

“Looks cold out there.”

“It’s freezing.” Linda held out a coffee cup. “Which is why we got you a latte.”

“Thanks, Linda.” Caroline took the cup from her.

“Thank Cole. It was his idea.”

“Thanks, Cole.” She raised the cup in his direction. “Did you get what you wanted?”